Golden ready with fanfare for the Colorado Classic

Fans, spectators, community invited to participate in bike race events

Golden is getting amped-up for the Colorado Classic bike race. And there are number of ways for the community to get involved, whether it be cheering on the cyclists from the sideline or watching the …

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Golden ready with fanfare for the Colorado Classic

Fans, spectators, community invited to participate in bike race events

Womens' pro cycling returns in a big way to Golden this year with the Colorado Classic. Pictured, the women's peloton rounds a corner on the School of Mines campus during the 2015 USA Pro cycling Challenge.

Golden is getting amped-up for the Colorado Classic bike race. And there are number of ways for the community to get involved, whether it be cheering on the cyclists from the sideline or watching the race from a jumbo screen at a community viewing party at Parfet Park. Here is the need-to-know information about the women's pro cycling event during the Golden stage.

What is the Colorado Classic?

The Colorado Classic is a pro cycling road race. This is the third year for the race to take place, and this year, it is foregoing the men's race and featuring women only. In fact, because of this, it will become the only women's stand-alone stage race in the Western Hemisphere on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar and USA Cycling's Pro Road Tour, states a press release.

The race takes place Aug. 22-25 and there are four stages in different Colorado locations. They are:

Stage 1 — Steamboat Springs, Aug. 22

Stage 2 —Avon, Aug. 23

Stage 3 — Golden, Aug. 24

Stage 4 — Denver, Aug. 25

It is expected that about 100 women cyclists from around the world will be competing in the Colorado Classic this year. These athletes include Olympians, world champion cyclists and collegiate All-Stars, among others.

The course in Golden

The women cyclists will be in Golden for Stage 3 of the Colorado Classic. They will be doing a circuit race that starts and finishes under the Welcome Arch in downtown Golden, located on Washington Avenue at approximately 12th Street.

From the welcome arch, the racers will climb Washington Avenue to 18th Street, which they will take to Ford Street. They will stay on Ford Street for about five blocks and will get off on 13th Street, which turns into West 32nd Avenue. They will race along West 32nd Avenue until they reach McIntire Street, where they will head north to Table Mountain Parkway. They will take Table Mountain Parkway to West 44th Avenue and will race along that until it turns into 10th Street, where they will connect onto Washington Avenue for the next lap.

The race will start at 11:30 a.m. and will finish at about 2 p.m.

Along their route in Golden, the women cyclists will see iconic Golden landmarks such as the buffalo statue outside of the Buffalo Rose, Foothills Art Center, Coors Brewery, Colorado Railroad Museum and, of course, views of the Table Mountains and Clear Creek.

Stage 3 fun facts

~ The race will be a circuit consisting of seven laps that are about nine miles each.

~ Laps 2, 4 and 5 will be a sprint.

~ Lap 7 will be Queen of the Mountain.

Road closures in Golden and parking on race day

Golden road closures

Road closures in Golden will be extensive to ensure a safe route for the cycling competitors. Plan on closures throughout Golden on both Aug. 23 and Aug. 24.

1 p.m. Aug. 23:

Washington Avenue from 11th to 13th streets.

12th Street from Prospector Alley to Miners Alley.

7 a.m. Aug. 24:

Washington Avenue from 10th to 14th streets.

Jackson Street from 10th to Water streets.

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24:

The entire race route will be closed, including streets, driveways and roadway access points.

CDOT will maintain northbound traffic on McIntyre Street from Highway 58, but McIntyre Street southbound from Highway 58 will be closed to traffic.

Parking in Golden on race day

Though some parking will be available in downtown Golden, away from the race route and prior to the street closures, spectators are encouraged to park in the outskirts of downtown Golden and walk, bike or scooter in. Free bike corrals will be available at Parfet Park and next to the tennis courts on 10th and Illinois streets.

For the spectators

Watch it from on the sidelines

Race fans are encouraged to line the streets of Golden to cheer on the women cyclists as they compete in the Colorado Classic. Being a circuit race, the cyclists will pass through downtown Golden seven times during the race. Anywhere along the route will offer great viewing for spectators, and cowbells and other similar noisemakers are OK.

Golden will host three Fan Zones for Stage 3.

Fan Zone 1: The race's start and finish point under the Welcome Arch in downtown Golden, located on Washington Avenue at approximately 12th Street. This location will feature a sign-in ceremony at about 10:30 a.m. before the race starts, and the Podium Award Ceremony and press conference immediately following the race at about 2 p.m.

Fan Zone 2: 15th Street and Washington Avenue. This location will be great for watching the Queen of the Mountain on lap 7.

Fan Zone 3: The expo at Parfet Park. There will be a jumbo screen airing a live feed of the race, and live entertainment on the VF Corporation stage.

For those who prefer to watch the race in-person just outside of the downtown area, New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Parkway in Golden, can offer a front seat to the race. Because the brewery is located on the race route, spectators should plan to ride their bike there, or arrive prior to the road closure at 11 a.m.

Stream it

The Colorado Classic website will provide live stream video coverage from start-to-finish of each of the race's four stages. Live streaming will begin on Aug. 22. Visit www.coloradoclassic.com/watch-now to learn more about viewing the race via the live streaming option.

Another way to stay up-to-date with everything the 2019 Colorado Classic has to offer, is to download the VF Corporation Tour Tracker app. It is available for iOS and Android mobile devices. The app will feature live video streaming of the race, team and rider information and real-time race updates and news.

Even more fun for the fans

Golden Community Bike Ride

Golden will be celebrating women cyclists with a Golden Community Bike Ride. This will be followed by the Movies and Music in the Park.

The Golden Community Bike Ride begins at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23 under the Welcome Arch in downtown Golden. Riders will proceed to the Lions Park Ballfields for pre-Colorado Classic activities, entertainment by special guests and race updates.

Movies and Music in the Park will begin at 7 p.m. in the ballfields with a musical performance by the Sweet Lillies. The movie will be Disney's “Mary Poppins Returns.”

Altra 5k

The entire community is invited to participate in the Colorado Classic Altra 5k — a free fun run for all ages and levels.

The Altra 5k begins at 9 a.m. on Aug. 24 under the Welcome Arch in downtown Golden. The route will take participants northeast along the Clear Creek Trail and eventually double back to end at Parfet Park at about 10:30 a.m.

Check in and race bib pickup opens at 8:15 a.m. Aug. 24 at the VIP tent located at 12th Street and Washington Avenue. Registration can be done online on the Colorado Classic's website.

Cycling, Health & Fitness Expo

Colorado Classic spectators and community members are invited to a free Cycling, Health & Fitness Expo from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Parfet Park, which is located at 10th Street and Washington Avenue in downtown Golden.

The expo will feature Colorado Classic race merchandise, and national and local vendors that have a focus on cycling, health, fitness and lifestyle.

Food trucks will be available as well as non-alcoholic beverages and water bottle fill stations.

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